§ 7. Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to enable magistrates to award costs out of central funds to persons acquitted of summary offences.
§ Mr. CarlisleNo, Sir.
§ 28. Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in the light of the Lord Chief Justice's recent direction to the courts that the costs of any defendant acquitted of an alleged offence shall be met from public funds or, in appropriate cases, by the prosecution, he will ensure that the terms of his direction shall take effect as from 1st January 1972.
§ Mr. CarlisleThe hon. Gentleman's Question does not accurately reflect the Lord Chief Justice's direction. But in any event my right hon. Friend does not have power to do what is asked, since decisions on whether or not to award costs are judicial ones.